The Lake - March 2019 by The Lake - Standley Lake's News Magazine

the lake

Who we are Editors-in-Chief | Jackson Kessel Aimee Yan

the lake the formalities Opinions or expressions made by students in this publication are not expressions of board policy. The district and its employees are immune from any civil action based on any expression made for or published by students. The Lake is an open forum for and by the students, faculty, and community of Standley Lake High School. The Lake is willing to accept and print any appropriate articles submitted by the students of SLHS and reserves the right to edit any of these articles. We will not print letters sent to us without a name and signature. Submit letters to standleylakenewspaper@gmail.com.

2 March 2019 | Issue 3

Staff Editors | Ben Bird Grant Hoskins Mikey Pietroiacovo Riley Ruff Staff Writers | Brooklyn Galba Jasmine James Grace Johnson Jay Keodonexay Christopher Luc Kiana Miska Andrew Orlowski Aron Roush Elijah Sisneros Megan White Features | Jane Ababei Alyssa Romero

social @thelakenewsmag facebook.com/standleylakenewspaper @thelakenewsmag thelakenewsmag

Cartoonist | Sangati Shah Adviser | Lynn Schwartz Web and Social Media Editors | Tate Minch Jackson Valls

FOR MORE STORIES thelakenewsmag.wordpress.com

Table of Contents

March 2019

12 16

The Good stuff

06 the right angle 12 The Modern Hippie 16 The New hate Same gators, 30 20 years later 23 opinions 3

students and staff: Finn Glover MacIndoe-Dunnington loved soft voices, mirrors, board books, baths, Harry Belefonte’s song “Coconut Woman,” and hats. He preferred being held high on people’s shoulders, and once he learned how to smile, he did so with his whole face. He tended to sleep with one hand curled in a fist against the side of his face, and for reasons we never figured out, he often smelled like oats in the morning. He was a calm baby, but if he got upset, we could always soothe him by rocking him side to side on our knees, or by holding him level with our bookshelves where he’d happily gaze at the shiniest covers. When he was still only six weeks old, Finn slept through the cross-country airplane ride that brought him to Colorado from Washington, D.C. And once we settled here, he loved watching geese cross the sky above the deck outside our apartment. At the end of September, Finn was hospitalized with a rare neuromuscular condition, and in late October, he died. The experience was the worst thing that will ever happen to us, and we will never get over it. At the same time, we are grateful for the love and support of the Standley Lake community. While we spent every possible second with Finn, students organized fundraisers and charity events on their own accord. Faculty members—many of whom we’d never even met—brought us food. English teachers planned lessons and graded papers. Although it feels and sounds inadequate, we want to extend our thanks to everyone who held us in their hearts or contributed in some way to the goodwill this school continues to offer. You accepted us, loved us, and allowed us to lean on you when we needed help the most. We miss our son terribly, and we always will. But we will honor him each day by returning the love and kindness shown to us by our new family here at Standley Lake. Most sincerely, James MacIndoe and Jenny Dunnington

4 March 2019 | Issue 3

Hey Gators: Time is a complicated notion that is undoubtedly one of the fundamentals of our society. Time dictates our arrivals and our departures, when we wake and sleep, the moments until and the moments left. A world without time would be positively disastrous—and The Lake is definitely not here with an issue urging one to release themselves from the constraints of time—but perhaps time should be thought of in a more fluid way. Time exists as a guide, an anchor to the incomprehensible realm we live in, and yet certain concepts transcend time. Love and hate have existed within the bounds of our society since the beginning of time— wars have been fought on the basis of hate and long-broken bonds have been mended on the basis of love. These two emotions are nearly primeval and likely will exist long after we have vanished from this world, however the ways we express these emotions is far from static. Our own school is celebrating its triumphs and successes that, as of this year, have spanned across the last three decades. From the pink walls that have become a hallmark of our school to timeless “gator strong” traditions, it may seem like nothing has changed at all. The last thirty years have been marked by state victories, but also tragedy—profound joy, but also incomprehensible sadness. Time has tested the Standley Lake community, but these tribulations have done nothing but demonstrate our resilience, our ability to come together in moments of grief. This issue, The Lake investigated the rise of hate groups in the current political climate— fueled by prejudices that have remained prevalent over hundreds of years. At the same time, we investigated the notion of the modern hippie—one who lives on the basis of love and finds solace in the invaluable bonds between us. Time inevitably comes with change—change in relationships, beauty standards, the ways we travel and live and love. And while dwelling on the past serves no purpose, looking back holds invaluable lessons. Certain things never change; other things never cease to change. This is part of the beauty of life and no matter what happens, the mechanism of time keeps churning.

Yours,

AiJa A.K.A. Aimee and jack, THE EDITORs-IN-CHIEF

Last year, poms placed 3rd at nationals out of 27 teams

Front to back: Taylor Smith ‘20, Taylor renquist ‘20, Alizabeth sanchez ‘20, Cassie Greenly ‘20, Shannon Fechtner ‘20, Michelle Tin ‘20, and Santanna castillo ‘19

6 March 2019 | Issue 3

Poms practices 10 hours per week for regional competitions, 13 hours per week for state

Victorious

state champions take on nationals A sports column:

By Jackson kessel In high school, a constant, unrelenting battle to be the best is always underway. Students compete to have the highest GPA, to be top of their class, to be part of the most clubs, and—most notably—to be a part of the best sports team at the school. In the past 30 years, Standley Lake has only ever won four state championship titles. Varsity Poms brought home two out of these four. Composed of seven incredible dancers, the Poms team persisted in demolishing competition left and right before the coveted state competition was even on the horizon. After last year’s state upset that saw our Poms team take 5th place, the resilient team began this year with one goal in mind: Victory. “Because last year didn’t go in our favor, the determination we had going into this season was unmatched. We worked so hard all season and to finally win state, this huge dream we all shared, was the most validating thing ever,” says Shannon Fechtner, ‘20. The six junior dancers on the team have all been competing together since they were freshman. Over the past three years, the team has had the opportunity to refine their skills, learn the specialties of their teammates, and prepare to win the state title. With a team as successful as Poms, there is undoubtedly comparison that will take place. What can we do to win? How can we be the best?

poms takes state at 2018 state spirit championships

“Hearing your name get called as a state champion, it obliterated all the comparison we felt towards other teams. It felt incredible—the most unmatched experience ever. The pure shock and joy that I felt in that moment—I have never felt that before in my life,” Fechtner said.

Current poms team has been dancing together since 2016

After Poms won state, the focus became nationals. The girls are all waiting in anticipation for the 21st when they can fly to Florida and compete in the most fierce and exciting competition so far this season. Although, at the time of publication, the Poms team will have already competed, the Gators are all collectively holding their breath, waiting for the moment when the winners are announced. “Our main goal is really to feel like we gave it everything for our last performance this season— last ever performance for Santanna. To feel like we hit everything as a team and that we are confident going into that awards ceremony—that’s what will make us champions, not a score or a placement,” Fechtner says.

HOW TO DEAL WITH A BREAK-UP

igh school is a place to make memories; a place to try new things and meet new people. The dream is to excel in academics or athletics, make your mark on the school, and maybe even meet that special someone. However, high school isn’t a dream - it’s a harsh reality. There is no High School Musical or “Troy and Gabriella” in the real world. Hearts get broken, but something broken can always be fixed. Dealing with a breakup doesn’t have to be agonizing any longer. Instead of sitting on the couch binging “Friends”, crying so hard no noise comes out, try:

Hang Out With Friends. Being surrounded by people who give

Cut Off Toxic Communication.

Express Yourself. Self expression in any sort of way helps

Make A Change. It’s never a bad idea to get a fresh start. A breakup can be a reality check for some people, making them understand what direction they want their lives to continue toward. A change in appearance, such as a new hair style or a piercing, or a change in diet and picking up active healthy habits

off positive energy can be a good distraction from a broken heart. In a small new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, researchers stated that, “Just as distracting oneself can help reduce cravings, it may also help a person overcome t h e persistent thoughts that come with a breakup.” Having a few friends around also helps build a support system. Of course, it’s valuable to be able to comfort yourself whenever anxiety hits, but there’s only so much one person can do in their own head. According to Olubukonla Kolawole, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in New York City, “Every time you want to send a text to your partner or are reminded about your ex and want to reach for them, reach for one of your buddies instead...It’s great to have multiple people [to talk to] so you don’t hold yourself back with worry about your friend being tired of having to hear the same things.” Being around great friends who support you is one of the best things you can do for yourself after a breakup.

an individual explore their personality and their passions. Using creative art to express yourself can help you heal, find comfort and process emotion. Starting a journal can be an easy and personal way to get out all of that deep down built up energy that you may have been burying or overlooking. Drawing also helps promote a more uplifting spirit. Conveying certain thoughts and feelings in a visual way is often times easier than just talking about them for most people.

8 March 2019 | Issue 3

When you’re trying to get over someone, it’s important not to wallow in those damaging emotions more than absolutely necessary. Staying in contact with your ex only prolongs feelings of loss and nostalgia for what used to be. Accepting that your ex is no longer a part of your life is a prerequisite for you yourself to begin the healing process. Attempting to talk to your ex-partner works against the healing process and prevents you from growing into the person you were meant to be -- without them. At first, it may be difficult to resist the urge to reach out to someone you care about deeply. Cut the ties off; block their number, unfollow them on social media, don’t engage in any type of contact with them. The end of a relationship signifies the beginning of a new chapter in your life, an open door for new experiences and opportunities. Instead of driving yourself crazy worrying about what your ex is up to, use this time to reflect on your own life, realize your self worth and grow stronger as an individual.

| Brooklyn Galba | Andrew Orlowski

Endangered Animals The RunDown on Species Whose Time is Running Out

Awareness around endangered animals has been circling through the media for years; however, as the list of species joining the list grows, public awareness fails to maintain the same growth and expansion. The lingo around a species’ status, while ambiguous, creates a mechanism for people to categorize animals based on how likely they are to become extinct.

The Endangered Species Act The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 with the intent that the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) would restore and protect the animals encompassed in the Act and the ecosystems in which they reside. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service is predominantly responsible for land and freshwater animals, the NMFS presides over marine wildlife.

What does “endangered” Actually mean? “Endangered” refers to a species being on the brink of extinction, whereas ‘threatened” indicates that a species will most likely become endangered in the near future. Some of the most well-represented endangered species include the giant panda, blue whale, and mountain gorilla but these species represent only a fraction of the total endangered and threatened species across the globe.

Efforts to combat Animal Extinction An organization called the Worldwide Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) was founded in 1979 to help endangered and threatened animals reproduce and retain enough individuals in the population to keep the species alive in the wild. WWF helps to take care of as many species as they can, ranging from sea turtles, and whales to tigers and elephants. They protect our oceans, rivers, and forests to make sure that human-inflicted damage isn’t pushed past the point of no return.

41,415 Total species on the endangered and threatened lists

What can you do to help? The single biggest thing that can be done to help prevent animals from being added to the threatened list is to educate ourselves and be aware of our impact on the environment. While no single person can save a species, each individual can take small steps to reduce their environmental footprint. Combating the underlying issues of climate change and deforestation takes every single person on Earth. If everyone does a small portion, the impact will ripple throughout the world. Buying sustainable products, recycling and reducing water consumption are the tried and true ways of reducing environmental footprint. The fight against animal endangerment is one that stretches across all corners of the planet but begins in each of our backyards. Planting native plants, visiting a local nature reserve and volunteering time to help restore outdoor areas all contribute to helping species survive and thrive. | Jasmine James | Riley Ruff

16,118 Species added to the endangered animal list this past year

16,306 Species considered to be endangered

THRIFT STORE LOOK BOOK A Collection of photos featuring outfits inspired by the eighties, pieces were collected from thrift stores or found in an aunt’s attic.

Heavy, retro-patterned sweater: thrifted for $4

Collared windbreaker: thrifted for $5 J.D. from “Heathers”(1988) inspired outfit, leather jacket: passed down from a grandfather Flannel: thrifted for $2

Mom jeans: thrifted for $3

10 March 2019 | Issue 3

High-waisted denim shorts: found in aunt’s attic

| Brooklyn Galba | Jay Keodonexay | Megan White

The Modern hippie The Lake explores the “hippie” lifestyles of the swamp.

‘Hippies’ are typically regarded as people who dressed unconventionally, reject conformist ideals, and take hallucinogenic drugs. Throughout history, this oversimplified notion has become its definition. The root of the hippie movement revolved around environmentalism and represented a divergence from industrial materialism in favor of maintaining a close and personal connection with the Earth. Beginning in the 1960’s and moving into the 1970s, many Americans were motivated by a distaste for American involvement during the Vietnam War and a desire to seek spiritual and emotional enlightenment through Indian and Buddhist culture. The catalyst for the hippie movement is regarded as the Beat Generation. A group of authors and poets, including Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs came together in order to elude traditionally accepted writing styles. These writers went to extremes in order to achieve a more enlightened mindset. Their writing is known as beat poetry, and has influenced political and personal mindsets ever since. While the “Make Love, Not War” idea is still present in hippie culture today, the term “hippie” encompasses many different avenues and facets of the values and practices different people engage in. Doing yoga or engaging in veganism, practicing meditation or crystal healing and using different drugs to expand the bounds of the mind—being a hippie isn’t just one thing and typically manifests itself in a variety of ways for different people across both the SLHS and Colorado communities.

12 March 2019 | Issue 3

The Emotionallyguided hippie There are spiritual and physical practices that drive people towards the lifestyle of a hippie, but being a hippie isn’t exclusively a single stereotypical characteristics. Many self-identified hippies are driven by their emotional experiences with peace, love and compassion. There is a part of the modern generation that is not accounted for in the stereotypical and commonly discussed “hippie” lifestyleー the people who are not driven by an external energy or physical health, but rather an internal drive towards emotional interconnectedness between people, the Earth and awareness within themselves. Hannah Spencer, a former student at SLHS represents one aspect of this group of people: “I think everybody has a different way to go about it… I think that the perception of hippies today is a lot more on the way they dress and what they talk about and you know the care for being vegetarian or vegan or things like that. And I think for me it’s more of an internal thing,” Hannah said. Being a hippie isn’t something that is set in stone, it is something that is very nuanced and faceted and it is up to each individual to decide which aspects they want to embody. In media, both currently and throughout history, the hippie being portrayed was someone who could be outwardly identified as a hippie, however, this is not necessarily the case anymore. Meditation in this context, is different for every person and Spencer elaborates upon this:

“I often meditate but I think that there is a connotation around meditation that [you] have to sit there and be silent and not think about anything, and the way that I go about it is more letting thoughts be and giving them the focus [they] need and then letting them go, and that way I can ground myself,” Spencer said. Mediation is a practice that has been around for hundreds of years and has its roots in Buddhist culture, however, there are a variety of people who identify in a variety of ways who mediate and that doesn’t inherently make them a hippie. As the practice of mediation grows and begins to resonate with a wider variety of people, spaces like the Boulder Shambhala Center act as a place for individuals to explore different aspects of culture they may not be predisposed to. Danny Goldsmith, the Director of Path and Service of the Shambhala Center, referred to mediation as a way for people to connect with themselves. “It allows a space for people to come and just sit and just be with their basic human experience. [Meditation] is just about being and breathing and getting to the core of feeling one’s place, one’s experience.” The Shambhala Center is a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center in Boulder that offers a space for people to connect to their internal emotions and spirituality and engage in traditional Buddhist meditation practices. The Shambhala Center offers a variety of guided classes and multiple different levels of mediation practice. The Center isn’t specific to people who consider themselves to be hippies, it is open to anyone who wants to step away from the chaos of life and learn to just be; this represents one way practices thought to be specific to hippies spreads throughout different aspects of society.

Shambala center

The Spirituallyguided hippie Chakras and pendulums are commonly seen on posters or through the windows of a kiosk at the mall. It has been given its own aesthetic, and is commonly looked over as another hashtag on Instagram, but the spiritual practices behind this “trend” deserve more thought than a double tap. Bambi Simard, a former student at SLHS, is an example of a spiritually guided hippie. Through things like pendulums, chakras, meditation, and religious practice, Simard continues to thrive in the ways of peace and love despite the stereotypes and generalizations that might skew the image of her lifestyle. With judgement aside, Simard describes her participation in spiritual practices like pendulums, tarot cards, and chakras. She says, “I use pendulums more because it’s easier to use, you can just ask basic questions and it goes one way for yes and another for no.” Along with the use of pendulums, Simard alludes to her own experiences with meditation and astral projection. “I practice meditation normally... meditation was something that I learned when I was really young from my grandma.” Simard said. “If you meditate and align your chakras, you can leave your body. Your body will fall asleep... you have to focus your breathing, keep your mind going.” Astral projection has been mentioned in cultures world wide. It is an out of body experience that is said to be achieved through meditation, hypnosis, and hallucinogens. Through great spiritual practice, Simard has learned to do great things with her mind. Simard’s unique lifestyle has consequently given the surrounding people an outlook that is very judgemental and passive. She describes what the world has wrong about the hippies of today. “They always expect [hippies] to constantly be smoking weed and always be high and just be kind-of lazy and stinky, and that’s not how it really is… most people don’t know who I am until they actually start talking to me,” Simard said. This a common image of someone who appears to be a hippie, and when this notion is applied it does not go unnoticed. When asked if she had experienced being generalized first hand, she said: “I have... Because of my drug rug or my ‘sarape’, or the fact that I like to walk around in moccasins when there’s mud outside.” By putting up with the assumptions and accepting the pain that comes with them, Simard has achieved a mindset that proves itself worthy through simple smiles that wouldn’t have existed without her, and a sense of self awareness that takes frequent and intense care. Being a hippie isn’t about how someone dresses, what someone believes or even if they embrace the term “hippie”; at the end of the day it’s about the energy individuals put out into the world and the conscious attitudes they implement into their lives. | Mikey Pietroiacovo | Riley Ruff | Jay Keodonexay

1950s The Beat Generation

The catalyst for the hippie movement was the Beat Generation. A group of authors and poets, including Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs came together in order to elude traditionally accepted writing styles. These writers went to extremes in order to achieve a more enlightened mindset. Their writing is known as beat poetry, and has influenced political and personal mindsets ever since.

14 March 2019 | Issue 3

1960s Acid Tests

Ken Kesey, an american novelist, threw a sequence of parties based entirely upon using the psychedelic drug LSD, also known as “acid”. The term “Acid Test” was coined by Kesey based off of the use of it in the 1850’s by gold miners. The influence on LSD counterculture and the transition between the Beat Generation and the Hippie movement was fueled by the participation in these events.

1960-1970 Anti-War protests

Many different groups participated in largely non-violent protests that were in opposition to the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. There was a climax of antipathy in 1968 which eventually led to the gradual withdrawal of US forces. Anti War activities, specifically resistance to enlisting in the war forced an end to US combat in Vietnam.

Crown Chakra: SAHASRARA

The Physicallyguided hippie

This chakra is represented by the element of light and fosters spirituality and balance within someone’s life.

Society perceives hippies to be the people who run PETA and Greenpeace and are relentlessly trying to convince people to go vegan, but this grossly overgeneralizes the diversity and variance among people who live in so-called “alternative” lifestyles.

Third Eye: AJNA

Elly Garner ‘20 discussed this idea of being a compassionate and ethical vegan rather than the stereotypical “hippie.”

Throat: VISHUDDHA

“I don’t consider myself different from anybody else. Like my lifestyle is just something that is me and is me personally. I don’t try to conform to a certain type of [label],” Garner said. In the context of this story, the idea of being physically guided references the food someone consumes and the different practices they engage in with the intent to better their physical being and the world around them. Garner described the lifestyle she lives: composting her food scraps and eating vegan, a diet that is exclusively plant based with no animal products, and avoiding products that are ultimately harmful to the environment. “I only use recyclable materials and I try to [avoid] fast fashion and [stuff] that can be easily thrown away and is bad for the environment. [I] try to find [sustainable] brands for clothing [and] that’s pretty much where I’m at with my [life],” Garner said.

The third eye chakra is associated with an individual’s ability to be rational, logical and analytical.

This chakra is represented by the element of light and fosters spirituality and balance within someone’s life.

Heart: ANAHATA

This chakra represents the element air within the body and is the most fragile chakra. It influences our personal relationships and can be the birthplace of jealousy, anger and distrust.

Solar Plexus: MANIPURA

She talked about how the things we, as humans, do have a variety of impacts across the globe and how we only have one Earth to take care of. Living in a conscious manner, being aware of the footprint we are ingraining in the Earth, stems from education and support and this is something Garner emphasized:

The Solar Plexus chakra is regarded as one of, if not the most, influential chakras as it symbolizes each individual’s personal power and ability. It fosters energy and confidence.

“I think the biggest thing was getting support in the things I was doing and having people say “wow, I understand what you’re doing”, “[I] respect what you’re doing” and kind of encouraging me to fight through [the challenges].”

Sacral: SVADHISHTHANA

There are many different ways to start engaging in a more environmentally-centered lifestyle, one being bringing reusable bags to the grocery store and buying products from environmentally conscious companies, buying local produce and taking the time to appreciate the nature that surrounds us. Reflecting on our existence and the impact we have on this planet is one of the easiest ways to be more environmentally conscious. Even though all of these things are small changes, as Garner said: “If everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot.”

1966 The Grateful dead

An American rock band formed in 1965 in California. Their various influences have been distilled into a diverse and psychedelic whole that is the music they create. Originally the group started out as “The Warlocks”. The first show they performed with the name Grateful Dead was at one of Ken Kesey’s acid tests and ever since the dedicated fans truly brought devotion to a new level. By building a community and connecting it through technology, the band helped people around the world share their passion for the music and communicate with each other long before the Internet and Facebook came along.

1968 Summer of Love

The Summer of Love was a mass gathering of people in San Francisco who dressed in colorful clothing and universally disagreed on the state of society. Acid rock music filled radio waves, people embraced eccentric outfits and regarded LSD and ecstasy as mind-opening substances.

This chakra represents the water elements present in the body and fosters happiness, joy and compassion.

Root: MULADHARA

This chakra represents the water elements present in the body and fosters happiness, joy and compassion.

1969 Woodstock

In August 1969, The Woodstock Music and Arts Festival took place on a dairy farm in Bethel, NY. Over half a million people came to heart 32 acts perform over the course of four days. Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Nash & Young were some upon the line-ups of entertainment. Woodstock is known as one of the greatest happenings of all time and a major pivotal moment in music history.

16 March 2019 | Issue 3

Model featured is not associated with any views, actions, or organizations associated with props.

The New Hate The rise of new hate in america D

isclaimer: The Lake wishes to bring awareness to the spread of hate within the Standley Lake community and wider cultural climate. The Lake and its members do not endorse or condone any of the views, actions, or organizations listed in this story. The purpose of this story is to show the growth, statements, and impacts of hate groups and radicalized opinions, and to raise awareness about the ideological and physical threat that these groups pose to society as a whole. For as long as there has been an America, the issues of racial oppression and prejudice have remained at the forefront of national conversation. Although social justice improves yearly, radical hate groups in the modern era have also changed and grown. Hate can spread further, faster, and adapt to the fears and prejudices of mobs more effectively than ever before. The constant exposure to radical rhetoric works to normalize harmful ideologies. Within recent years, extremism has spread like a wildfire, dictating national media and conversation around domestic terrorism and fear-mongering. As an increasing number of radical groups grow in influence, organizations dedicated to fighting hate such as the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have risen back to the forefront of the national conversation. These groups attempt to undermine radical groups and ideologies by informing the public of their spread throughout the country and fighting hate through legal and social campaigns. In 1999, there were only 457 SPLC designated hate groups in the United States. Over the last 20 years the number of groups has fluctuated upwards. 2018 was the fourth consecutive year of growth with a 50% growth in white nationalist groups, and a rise to the 1,020 groups in the US, the highest recorded in the over 30 years of data done by the SPLC. The rise of hate in the 21st century is not a unique instance; America has undergone periods of rising racial tension numerous times. What has changed are the tools and tactics that hate groups use to spread their rhetoric. The spread of mass communication and the safety of the internet has emboldened radical viewpoints. The internet allows individuals with radical views to

easily connect with others sharing their beliefs acting as a new tool in the arsenal. The anonymity offered by the internet has also provided a way to openly spread ideas not widely accepted by society. The visible hate in our world is growing, in large part due to internet threads and chat rooms, where anonymity is king. Less radical rhetoric is often used to ease people into the ideology of hate groups. These range from rhetoric designed to disparage a particular group or more commonly through the insertion of half-hidden messages. These messages are placed within pieces with a relatively moderate idea, however, the real message is supplanted throughout the piece hinted at subliminally. These tactics work not only to spread radical content but to attempt the normalization of radical rhetoric. The normalization of radical content has been adopted as the strategy of numerous organizations, among them the Daily Stormer, a conspiracy based hate publication which spreads neo-Nazi sentiments. The site spreads predominantly anti-Semitic content, however, a number of their articles focuses on other groups. The group, led by Andrew Anglin, describes its goal as using daily stories to indoctrinate individuals into their ideology and using the avid fan base of the site to harass individuals normalize rhetoric by repeating it enough. Condemned by both the SPLC and the ACLU, the Daily Stormer has risen to a national presence with â&#x20AC;&#x153;book clubsâ&#x20AC;? across the country. Sites such as Reddit, Tumblr, Twitter, Discord, and 4Chan have given opportunities that hate groups gladly take advantage of. Until the Charlottesville riot where a protester was killed by

The visible hate in our world is growing, in large part due to internet threads and chat rooms, where anonymity is king. 17

CAIRCO, or the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform, is a Colorado based anti-immigration hate group. Although the group claims to be a public interest activist group they have associated with other prominent hate groups as well as spread a number of false claims. The organization raises and spreads false claims to fearmonger and provide platform to anti-immigration rhetoric.

active hate groups

CAIRCO

FOR AMERICA

act for america

Daily Stormer

Act for America is a nationwide anti-muslim hate group founded and led by Bridgette Gabriel, claiming over 1 million members. The group spreads anti-muslim rhetoric as well as lobbying for anti-muslim legislation. Although the organization claims to espouse a non-discriminatory policy, Gabriel herself has spouted discriminatory rhetoric in her book, Because they Hate.

The Daily Stormer is a Website dedicated to spreading hate speech on a dedicated platform. This site states that it wishes to spread antisemitism and white supremacy in its publications. The site also includes anti-muslim rhetoric, anti-LGBT, and politically polarizing views. The name “Daily Stormer” is a reference to the Nazi Propaganda newspaper “Der Stürmer.”

a white nationalist, the presence of hate groups on these sites saw steady growth. Following an outburst of violence on a national stage, social media websites cracked down on organized hate, greatly hindering outreach abilities. Although procedures and guidelines aim to eliminate hate speech, many individuals slip through the cracks and leak into the mainstream with harmful rhetoric. According to a 2016 report by the FBI involving over 15,000 law enforcement agencies, 7,321 offenses were reported; the same report saw over a 15% growth with 8,437 offenses in 2018. These crimes have become far more visible in media coverage over the last few years with events such as the Orlando nightclub shooting in 2016, the Charlottesville attack in 2017, and the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in 2018 receiving massive media coverage; these events have captured national attention and brought up questions about the resurgence of hate.

recent years. The KKK— a vigilante group created after the civil war— remains a staple of hate in the US and is among the most prominent hate groups in the US according to the map. In 2017 Colorado still had two chapters of the KKK, but as 2018 there are no longer any reported chapters of the KKK within Colorado, but groups such as the Atomwaffen division and American guard have taken their place. At its origin, the KKK lynched former slaves and terrorized the South for many decades, particularly in the early twentieth century. However, with more groups receiving basic human rights such as the LGBTQ+ community, the most infamous hate group in America has evolved into vilifying any group that departs from the straight, white population in America. As mass hysteria spreads about immigrants migrating to the US, the KKK spews vitriol in their direction as well. In fact, the group was ordered to pay 6.3 million dollars in 2000 when multiple undocumented immigrants were held at gunpoint in Oregon.

the focus on the day-to-day events in everyday life increasingly includes the coverage of extremism and its actions.

Despite the effort to suppress the messages and ideologies of hate groups, the media has given these groups the spotlight in their coverage of these events. Coupled with the increasing number of hate crimes, violence related rhetoric, and polar political shifts, the focus on the day-to-day events in everyday life increasingly includes the coverage of extremism and its actions. This often constant coverage on the extremism creates the impression that hateful ideology is more prevalent and more acceptable than it otherwise would be. Since 1990, the SPLC created a hate map of notable hate groups across the US— consistently between 600 to 1,000 in number in

18 March 2019 | Issue 3

As immigration continues to become a polarizing issue for many constituents in the US, partisan groups to oppose all varieties of immigration have sprung up in the past couple decades. In the mid-90s, the most prevalent anti-immigration extremist group in Colorado started-- Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform or CAIRCO. CAIRCO presents itself as a sustainable immigration advocacy group and firmly denies its classification as a hate group. The SPLC has labeled them as a hate group noting their relationships

Ultimately, hate is counterproductive; it impedes societal progress and stops the natural evolution of culture. But the fires of hate and discrimination must be stamped out before they once again engulf the world.

to prominent hate groups such as the Center for Immigration Studies and the Federation for American Immigration Reform. Despite claiming to be an organization focused on issues affecting the American people, they have made numerous inaccurate claims about immigrants. (see debunk graph) Beginning in the 1990s, the group has supported and advocated for legislation to stop all immigration. Additionally, specifically on their website, the organization promotes hateful articles from far-right sources and fear mongers about the amount of immigration today. And just with one quick google search the archaic site can be accessed on school computers. As the number of groups increase year after year, hateful ideologies are hidden in plain sight ranging from elementary school to adulthood. As numerous hate groups sprout up across the country and the globe to perpetuate anti-Semitism and blatant racism from the rooftops, the public need to be more aware than ever before in a dangerous and everchanging environment. Hatred surrounds us 24/7/365, regardless of its form. Year after year, a small vocal minority pushes the threshold of hate forcing itself into politics, culture, and the internet. In fact, none of the hate groups listed in this story are blocked by the Jefferson County content filter as of the publication of this story. Hate is uncontrollable. As radical ideology becomes normalized it seeps into the mainstream with each passing second. Ultimately, hate is counterproductive; it impedes societal progress and stops the natural evolution of culture. But the fires of hate and discrimination must be stamped out before they once again engulf the world. The importance of adding positivity to the world is essential because fighting fire with fire will burn everything down. Fight hate with education, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attack the character of those indoctrinated by this radical ideology but instead seek to educate to cultivate a better society. Reach out to someone who is different from you and learn about their lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;if the tools of hate are adopted by those who seek to fight it then nothing will change. Ben Bird | Zoe Garrimone | Grant Hoskins | Aron Roush | Aimee Yan

Same Gators Thirty Years Later Standley lake celebrates 30th anniversary

ince 1988, SLHS has seen thousands of students flow through its off-pink brick halls. Throughout the years, student culture, trends, teaching, and technology have adjusted with the ever-changing society we live in. Alumni teachers, Ms. Christy Hayashi and Mr. Cole Harding have witnessed firsthand the drastic changes this school has gone through.

would not get a seat. I have never been to a sporting event, as a teacher, where it’s that kind of climate.” Hayashi said.

In just 30 years, Standley Lake has seen many shifts in student behavior—as the years pass by, new trends, distractions and culture shape the students that attend SLHS. Despite changes in pedagogies and student bodies, one thing stays the same; we all remain Gator Strong.

Although students have shown many different ways of demonstrating school pride through the years, Standley Lake has not lost it. Every year there is a different trend that influences the way we celebrate our school. In recent years, SLHS has shown our love by showing up to games with the famous Standley Lake Couch. In addition, many people love to deck out in green & blue and walk around confidently while wearing it.

School Spirit Through the Years

From the first students to have ever walked inside these halls to the students today, there have been many ways of showing Gator Spirit: wearing gator gear, arriving early to games, or cheering for a plethora of extraordinary students who converge at meets, tournaments, and matches to display their talents are all ways of showing one’s love for this school. Every single year students and staff enjoy showing off their Gator Pride. Autum Trayler ‘19, has witnessed a growth in school pride throughout the course of her four years as a gator. “There’s more school spirit because it’s not as weird to show school spirit. The reputation of the school has gotten better [because of it],” Trayler said. Ms. Hayashi, on the other hand, notes that spirit at SLHS is not as exciting as it once was. “...I think that when I was in high school there was more school spirit. For example, when I was in high school, our wrestling team were state champs and literally every single person went to every single wrestling match. It was a huge deal. If you didn’t get here early you

20 March 2019 | Issue 3

This loss of excitement results in the loss of support for one another, whether that takes place at games, marching band performances, or plays.

School spirit isn’t just a way to prove that we are proud of our school’s accomplishments. It is a way to accept one another, accept the downfalls with the upbringing and to show one another we are exultant in everyone’s achievements. In many eyes, school spirit is a method which allows students and staff to be the best versions of ourselves and allows us to come together to grow as a community. Our school may not be perfect, but together we show all the things that a Gator should represent—just like the many students before us have shown as well.

School spirit...is a way to accept one another, accept the downfalls with the upbringing and to show one another we are exultant in everyone’s achievements.

Phones and Distractions

SLHS, Overcoming

Technological innovation has outpaced many original educational methods. This decade marks a milestone in human history, producing the first generation born with access to the internet. This generation has been put under the microscope—having to deal with the traditional high school struggles such as homework, relationships and jobs, with the added pressure of online identity and presence. This decade also marks the emergence of an age with absolute access to twenty-four-seven entertainment; which means unlimited distractions.

“When I was a student, that’s when Dan Lunger died. That was awful. It was so unexpected, so tragic, and it impacted everybody. That was definitely the hardest thing—to experience and go through that was tragic and awful. That was really tough,” Hayashi said.

Advances in technology have unequivocally evolved over the past 30 years. There is a profuse amount of distractions ingrained into students’ everyday lives. Teachers like Ms. Hayashi—who teaches AP US History, Modern American History, and American Government— have adapted their teaching styles, developing new techniques that will work more efficiently with the current generation of students.

“You guys are harder and harder to teach every single year. This is only my eighth year teaching, but I’ve seen [the shift] dramatically. There are so many distractions—like your phones and your Chromebooks and everything else—that I feel like I have to be so much more of an entertainer than a teacher. Getting all of you to buy in and get engaged is significantly harder,” Hayashi said. As a former student at Standley Lake, Hayashi understands better than anyone how the culture of technology has changed over time. “When I was in high school, I didn’t get a cell phone until my sophomore year and [at this time] my cell phone couldn’t do anything... you were never on your phone. You’re not obsessed with your phone. You’re not texting all the time. You’re not photographing everything. That’s a huge change because you guys are completely obsessed with your phones. You can’t function without it,” Hayashi said, “I think that’s a dramatic change, and I wouldn’t say it’s for the better.” Students seem to be more focused on their phones than what they are learning in the classroom. Teachers feel as if they are forced to make their class more entertaining in order to gain their students’ attention. With all the technological advancements and changes, one can only imagine what the next thirty years will bring to this school.

Standley Lake has experienced immense tragedy and hardship throughout the years. Dan Lunger, a former student-athlete, tragically died in August of 2006. His picture still hangs by the main staircase at the front of the school. Students and staff mourned over the loss of their fellow peer. His tragic death lead to heartbreak in every student. It was a time where every wandering eye became a witness to the despondency and despair his death brought. He is not forgotten in the thoughts of all the students he impacted, including Ms. Hayashi.

There is no doubt that Luger’s death impacted many people in the Gator community. Tragedy demonstrates what being a gator is truly about: coming together and looking inwards when hardship occurs. In just 30 years, SLHS has experienced many peaks and valleys. Through it all, both triumph and heartbreak have shaped the school into a community centered around compassion and empathy. Not once has Standley Lake lost its sense of community or pride. That is what it means to be gator strong—something that hasn’t changed throughout the last three decades. The tragedies that our school has faced have taught us about how to overcome tough times and overcome adversity together. Although these heart-wrenching moments stay with SLHS as a whole, together we have remained intact and have helped each other overcome.

“When I was a student, that’s when Dan Lunger died. That was awful. It was so unexpected, so tragic, and it impacted everybody.” - Ms. hayashi

SLHS uplifting moments Though our school has gone through a handful of devastations, there are still many inspiring moments that have brought students and staff together to partake in cheerful and educational experiences. Standley Lake High School has created countless bonds and taught important life lessons through these extraordinary times. “The most uplifting [experience] occurred my senior year. We hosted the showing of the ‘Invisible Children’ documentary and had an African night. We literally packed the whole auditorium and everyone wrote letters to politicians about trying to get involved and support global causes. It was just so amazing to see my peers so passionate about world events and helping others,” Hayashi said. Participating in activities which allow the Gator community and the world to come together are the type of moments that SLHS will always cherish and remember as a time of celebration. Not only are there various exciting events that have occurred in our school and many changes throughout society, one remaining attribute of being a gator has always proven to be present, according to Mr. Harding. “Love. I loved going to school here. I loved all the students I went to school with. I think the teachers have so much love for their students, and so do I. And a lot of the teachers I knew that taught here when I was a student loved their job and now as a teacher, I still see those same

22 March 2019 | Issue 3

teachers passionate and loving what they do and loving their students.” Harding said. We live in a word that has many different concepts and meanings. But this one word has become an important part of being a gator throughout the years and a part of every good moment to be shared. Even in hard times, love can still be found in the generations of amazing people who have been a part of our school. Love is the reason alumni have returned as teachers who continue to pass their passion for this school onto the next generation.

Gators- since 1981 to Now Standley Lake High School has seen thousands and thousands of students walk in and out of our off-pink brick hallways, all of whom carry different stories, names, and lives. This school has gone through many hardships, but through it all, we gain. We gain strength, important lessons, new friends, and love. Since 1988 to now, we have remained Gator Strong. | Jane Ababei | Kiana Miska | Andrew Orlowski Skyeler Ortiz | Alyssa Romero

“Love. I loved going to school here. I loved all the students I went to school with. I think the teachers have so much love for their students, and so do I.” - Mr. Harding

OPINIONS

FireBrands Blazing A Forest Fire In WaSHington

In the Trump era, partisanship plays a more prominent role than ever before in the theatrics we call American politics. Recently, outlandish campaign positions concerning immigration that divide the country have been left totally deserted. However, the promise of a wall along the southern border has remained common thread throughout the Trump campaign and has translated into the presidency.

Republican demagogues spread hatred and bigotry about immigrants while Democrats propose ineffectual policies that don’t address the core of the immigration issue. The constant, bitter rebuttals and counters between the two parties led to numerous ramifications—the most catastrophic being the government shutdown that lasted 35 days. And both parties are missing the point when it comes to the evolving debate about immigration and the border wall. It’s about the people. It’s about the 380,000 workers furloughed and the additional 420,000 government employees forced to work without pay. It’s about the employees who are unable to provide for themselves after missing 3 paychecks. It’s about the thousands of immigrants migrating north in Central America and Mexico struggling through starvation and thirst, fleeing gang violence and murder threats.

Even when President Trump proposed concessions to reopen the government, it was a culmination of deception to continue the fight for a massive physical display of racism designed to keep out legal and illegal immigrants alike.

not central to the policies created in DC. That needs to change. While both parties are flexing their muscles, children are dying of malnutrition in cages and the lives of government employees have been damaged in the months to come.

Not to mention the fact that the wall is impossible to build stretching over vast bodies of water and mountainous terrain. This debate isn’t truly about the impractical, imaginary wall at all. It’s

Democracy was never meant to be about financial and political gain—rather a reflection of the values of its constituents. Many constituents don’t want children locked up like animals in a zoo. Many constituents don’t want a small vocal minority of racists to dictate policy positions for the entirety of the country. Many constituents don’t want the US military on the border on a hair- trigger.

“While both parties are flexing their muscles, children are dying of malnutrition in cages...” about Donald Trump posturing and spreading a hateful ideology to play to his base. In the US political system, many wealthy people dictate legislation and dominate the conversation, unaccountable to anyone or anything for years at a time until election season comes around. Ultimately, the majority of the American electorate and the values of immigrants are

Business executives and Republican congressman do. In fact, 58% of Americans view the wall extremely unfavorably and lack confidence in Trump’s ability to enact immigration policy according to the Pew Research Center. Sadly, when it comes to this debate, however, the public loses out. Demagoguery will quell politicians lurking in the shadows. It’s time for a change where US policy truly depends on the values and lives of its voters—like a democracy.

A Staff Editorial 23

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